Ford’s Bluecruise driver assistance system is getting a number of upgrades, including the ability to perform hands-free lane changes.
Ford said a new version of this system, called Bluecruise 1.2, will be available this fall starting with the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E in a press release. Activeglide version 1.2 for Lincoln will also follow.
With the upgraded system, drivers can change lanes simply by touching the stem of the turn signal, according to Ford. Bluecruise will also suggest changing lanes when tracking slow-moving traffic. This function is comparable to what is already available from the competition General Motors Super Cruise system.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Bluecruise 1.2 and Activeglide 1.2 also add speed prediction assist, which automatically adjusts speed when approaching sharp turns. The system will alert drivers in advance so they know why the vehicle is decelerating, Ford notes.
The third new feature is in-lane repositioning, which moves vehicles out of adjacent lanes. Ford notes that this is useful when riding next to wider vehicles, such as pickup trucks.
In addition to new features, engineers continuously improve the maps that Bluecruise relies on with over-the-air (OTA) updates. Bluecruise only works on pre-mapped highway sections, with more than 130,000 miles currently available, according to Ford.
Map of Ford Blue Cruise and Lincoln Activeglide
As before, even on an eligible stretch of highway, Bluecruise needs to be able to identify lane markings and confirm drivers are keeping their eyes on the road to operate.
To date, 75,000 Ford and Lincoln owners have activated Bluecruise or Activeglide, with more than 16 million hands-free miles logged as of the end of August, according to Ford.
